Day 992: San Elijo Lagoon * Cardiff-By-The-Sea * Salano Beach

Alien Spider

Day #992 * Hike #1276 * New Track #980
Solana Beach - California
Sunday August 4, 2013
My Tripometer: 45 Minutes * 1.5 Miles * +75 Feet

Solana Beach

 On the other side of the I-5 down from the soccer fields is the Del Mar Race Track.  Just beyond that is Solana Beach.  We had several hours to spare until the next game began so here we go.  I need to collect New Track's to par 1000 Hikes in 1000 Days.  Let's explore and get at least one mile under my belt for each journey...

Trailhead

We parked the car down by the beach and then walked up hill.  This trail ended quite quickly but then we walked through the neighborhood streets above the bluff...

Fletcher Cove

Open House Bluff

Through the streets of the Solana Palisades neighborhood we stopped by an open house.  This 2 bedroom plus small den and 2 bath thousand square foot home was going for $2.6 million.  The views were stunning, but dam, are you crazy.  The house was so outdated and cramped.  For this kind of money you can get a modern large home in Malibu or buy five of my houses in Ventura :)

Solana Palisades

Day #992 * Hike #1277 * New Track #981
Cardiff-By-The Sea - California
Sunday August 4, 2013
My Tripometer: 25 Minutes * 1 Mile * +25 Feet

Cardiff-by-the-Sea / The lagoon

Private River Beach

This is just down the street from Solana Beach.  Out front is a large ocean front state beach.  However, walk under the tunnel from the beach side and you will reach this spot.  For us, rather than get sandy or wet, we walked along the street up and around...

This is what I am talking about...

Day #992 * Hike #1278 * New Track #982
San Elijo Lagoon - California
Kumeyaay 'Ewaa
Sunday August 4, 2013
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1.25 Miles * +25 Feet

San Elijo Lagoon Trailhead

 Further up the road from Cardiff-By-The-Sea we followed the waterway and discovered this spot.  Ah, somewhat of a legit trail.  Let's check it out...

Jessi



Kumeyaay 'Ewaa

This was the nature center and the main parking area was here.  We did not know that and parked off the road, probably illegally.  All good, it gave us more distance to hike...

Continue down the nature trail



Bottom fish on the right is a Mullet (nice haircut)

History of San Elijo Lagoon

Ouch?!

I heard Alyssa scream so naturally I snapped a photo.  Come to find out, she did not prick herself, she spotted an alien spider as seen in this blogpost title picture above...


Day #992 * Hike #1279 * New Track #983
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve - California
Kumeyaay 'Ewaa
Sunday August 4, 2013
My Tripometer: 30 Minutes * 1.25 Miles * +25 Feet

San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Trailhead

We followed the roadway all the way around and bypassed jumping on the I-5 to head back to the soccer fields.  We still had a little time and I was trying to feel my way out.  Back into Del Mar, we found this trailhead very close to San Dieguito Park.

We are inland on the eastern end of the map

 So pretty much, the trails connect - Well heck, everything connects, huh?!  With not much time, Alyssa and Jess remained in the car while I jogged this one...

Quick pick - awesome shaded trail up here!!!

Cool environment...

The wetlands

The Trail

A hidden pond

The closest intersection

El Camino Real dead ends at the soccer fields.  So here we go, the hiking for this segment is over.  It's now time for the Quarter Finals. 

Eagles: 26 points in the Preliminaries = #1

Taking on The Beach Club, a strong rivalry...

To Be Continued...